(Oldenburg, IN) – The Sisters of St. Francis joyfully welcome Debra Burkhart as their new Director of Advancement.
In this role, Debra will work alongside the Advancement Team in fundraising, donor engagement, and building community partnerships to ensure strong support for the Sisters’ ministries and programs while honoring their rich legacy.
Debra’s story is deeply rooted in Franklin County, where her family has farmed, owned businesses, and served the community for centuries.
Her heart for service was shaped at a young age through the witness of her family and great-aunt, Sister André Burkhart, whose missionary work in Africa showed Debra what faith in action truly looks like.
With a degree from Ball State University and decades of professional experience in fundraising, marketing, and community engagement, Debra has dedicated her career to helping organizations
grow and thrive.
But her deepest joy has always come from serving others and helping people use their gifts to strengthen the community.
In addition to her work, Debra can often be found singing in her church choir, volunteering, or restoring her historic home. She and her husband, Rick, treasure time spent with their incredibly large family and find great joy in their 13 grandchildren.
“I feel truly blessed and grateful to walk alongside the Sisters of St. Francis,” Debra shares. “Their mission of service, prayer, and love is one that has touched my family for generations, and I am humbled to help continue their legacy.”
Learn how you can support the Sisters’ mission: www.oldenburgfranciscans.org/donate-online.
To contact Ms. Burkhart directly, please email debra.burkhart@oldenburgfranciscans.org or by phone at (812) 933-6554.
(Sisters of St. Francis press release)
